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(No Model.)

W. T. SHAFFER.

' BROOM SUPPORT. No. 332,014. Patented Dec. 8, 1885.

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Wyl'inq 536 s v n UNITED STATES PATENT @EETCE.

\VILLIAMI T. SHAFFER, OF EVANSTON, YVYOMING TERRITORY.

BROOM-SUPPORT.

EPECEPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 332,01 dated December 8, 1885.

Application filed Septen her 10, 1894. Serial No. 143,472.

T0 on whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVILLIAM T. SI-IAFFER, a citizen of the United States of America, re siding at Evanston, in the county of Uinta and Territory ofWVyoming, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Broom- Supports, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention has for its object to furnish a cheap, convenient, and durable contrivance for holding brooms when not in use, the same also being capable of being knocked down for compactness when shipped, and can be as readily put together when received after shipment; and the invention consists of the co1nbination of parts and their construction, substantially as hereinafter fully set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved broomholder. Fig. 2 is a top view thereof, and Fig. 3 is a side View of the same.

In the embodiment of my invention I construct of wood,papier-mache', or othersuitable cheap material, a back or bracket, A, the same being (it may be) inclined upon its upper edge from the middle to the sides, and having a tapering curvature at its side edges, beginning short distances below its upper end, ending almost at the extreme lower end thereof, the latter being inclined or curved much more abruptly to a central point. All of this, however, may be omitted or varied, it simply answering the purpose of embellishment.

B B are two arms, secured opposite to each other to the side edges of the back A near its upper end, each arm being composed of a moderately-stout looped Wire,;which is bent a short distance from its ends, causing the curved or looped portion to stand away from and nearly parallel with the front of the back-board A, which opposite curved or looped portions of said arms are disposed a short distance apart, equaling about the width of a broom-handle. The inner ends of the arms are let into sockets or recesses a, cut in the side edges of the board or back, but not, however, extending through the entire width of said edges, thus concealing the extreme rear ends of said arms and avoiding the finishing of the same, as would be re- (No model.)

] quired were they exposed. These recesses or sockets are of such depth horizontally as to permit said arms to protrude slightly, and thus provide bearings thereon for washers a, hold by screws a'flcntering the side edges ofthe board or back just-in rear of the arms, whereby upon screwing home said screws said washers will be clamped or forced upon or against the arms, and thus firmly, but readily removable, secure or hold said arms in place. These arms are curved or arched longitudinally to cause their inner surfaces (those next to theback or board) to stand slightly outwardly from said board or back at about its center, to prevent them intercepting or catching upon the binding cords of the brush or straw portion of the broom, which, if permitted, would damage it.

C is a support or bracket disposed at and secured to the lower front surface of the board or back and about in a plane equidistant between the arms B. This support or bracket is formed of a single piece of wire with its central portion curved slightly downward and bent inwardly at its center, which bent portion is let into or partially embedded in a cavity in the board or back, and over which projects a washer, I), held by a screw, Z), entering the board orback, whereby said support or bracket is also firmly and at the same time removably secured in place. From said central portion at each side the bracket or support is extended a short distance outwardly and horizontally, and from the outer ends of which horizontal portions it is inclined downwardly and in wardly, the inner ends thereofresting or bearing against the board or back.

From the foregoing it will be sccnlt-hat the parts of the holder thus contrived can be readily knocked down, which is greatly desirable in shipment,to economize space and permit of the packing of the holders compactly. To effect which packing of said parts the backboards, after the removal therefrom of the arms, are disposed back to back in the shipping box or receptacle, and the arms are nested I together and put into the spaces left by the inward curving of the side edges of said backboards. In unpacking the same after shipment, the arms, being interchangeable, (not rights nor lefts,) can be again quickly attached to said boards, and the holder thus be offered for sale at retail orbe put into position against the wall or other convenient place for immediate use,aecording to circumstances. Further, it provides a neat, convenient, simple, cheap, and durable eont-rivance for holding brooms when the latter are not in use.

In order to use the holder it is only necessary to grasp the broom inverted and present it to the holder,passing that part of its handle just below the brush or straw portion through the space between the arms, when, upon re leasing the broom, it will so adjust itself as to cause the arms to embrace the sti aw portion, while the head of said straw portion will rest upon the bracket, the handle passing through the space or opening of said bracket left between its outwardly projecting portions or arms, as clearly described. To remove the broom, draw upon its handle outward until it escapes from the bracket, and then pull downward, which allows the brush or straw portion, the last to leave, to pass out from be tween the arms without its bindingstrings sustaining an injury or coming in contact with any abrupt or angular edges.

I am aware that it is not new to construct-a brush and broom support having a series of longitudinally-bent arms ofwire for embracing and securing the broom, and to secure said arms in slots running across the face of the back or support of said device; but such devices, as is well known, soon-become useless for the designated purpose by reason of constant downward strain or pressure on said arms, that portion of the arms secured in said slots will soon make the surface thereof irregular, and therebypermit the falling from their proper position of the said arms. This evil said sockets or recesses are made to exactlyconform to the ends of the arms they are not only secured by the screws and Washers, but are prevented from being deflected from their normal position by reason of the downward V and outward strain caused in removing the brush or broom by means of the shoulders formed in making the sockets or recesses, as aforesaid.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a broom-holder, the combination, with the back or board, of the overhanging arms with their rear ends let into sockets or recesses in the side edges of said board or back, and the bracket or support with its central portion let into a cavity in said board or back, said arms and bracket being removably held in place by screws and washers, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I edit; my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\VILLIAM T. SHAFFER.

Witnesses:

I. O. WINsLow, JOHN STONE. 

